Anton woke up with a restless mind, his first thought circling around which camera he should buy for James.
He rubbed his eyes, grabbed his phone, and sent a short message: "Good morning."
Moments later, James replied: "Sup."
The two had exchanged contact information just yesterday, a start that already felt like friendship. Their talks flowed easily, like brothers catching up after years apart.
But beneath Anton's smile, a quiet fear twisted in his chest. "What if James finds out who I was?
The old Anton, the school bully."
Before doubt could grow louder, he decided to come clean.
He called James, his voice trembling as he confessed his past… explaining how much he had changed.
…James froze, concerned flickering behind his calm eyes.
"If Anton stays close to me…"
James worried his subscribers might target Anton because of his past.
When he opened his channel, he used to have three subscribers. Now, only two remained.
He let out a soft sigh of disappointment.
Anton noticed that sigh, misunderstood. His heart sank, but he managed a faint, knowing smile.
"I understand," he said quietly. "I've been struggling to find friends because of my past. People online found out… and the people I know kept their distance. It's been hard."
James felt a sting in his heart. As he was about to say something comforting, but before he could, Anton… flustered by embarrassment and he ended the video call.
Across the screen, Jabbari burst out laughing.
"Two oldies acting like teenage princesses," he joked.
Malaya, watching beside him, made a quick hand sign.
Jabbari sighed, grinning. "Relax. Anton's fine. What's happening is just his past catching up, and he'll be okay."
But when they glanced at James, the lighthearted mood faded. His face was heavy with guilt and concern.
Then, an idea lit up in his mind, a small way to fix this.
He'd visit Anton in person, surprise him with a pizza party.
For now, though, he needed to gather "Knowledge" , a form of currency to pay his property lease, bringing this dungeon into the human world. The due date glared back at him: two days left, written clearly on the contract handed to him by the Dungeon Boss.
Malaya gave a quick hand sign.
Jabbari glanced at her and translated, "She's asking, what kind of knowledge are we talking about?"
James frowned, equally confused.
"I've been bringing all kinds of knowledge since the day we received the contract of lease," he said. "But the dungeon keeps rejecting it. The Eternal Flame of Knowledge just spits everything back out whenever I throw something in. It's like the fire itself is… selective about what it accepts."
Jabbari showed a sarcastic grin forming.
"Well, Fourth Quartermaster, this is the Dungeon of Truth. Go figure what that means.
And wait… 'we'? You mean you've been contracted by the Dungeon Boss?"
James looked at him, clearly annoyed.
"You're not helping at all."
But then it hit him, Jabbari had been in this dungeon far longer than any of them. Maybe even centuries.
"Wait a minute," James said, narrowing his eyes. "You've been in this dungeon for so long… longer than us. So you must know what kind of knowledge it wants."
Jabbari smirked. "Suddenly, I feel like having pizza now," he said, "rather than later, when Anton will get his slice."
Malaya burst into laughter, her hands waving in amusement.
James sighed deeply. "What flavor then? I'm on a tight budget. After returning the camera, the reward's only two thousand pesos. I can only afford a small size."
Jabbari chuckled. "I'll think about it… probably at the last minute, when the rent's due."
James dropped to his knees, half-laughing, half-begging.
"Please po, please share po, your wisdom po!"
---
Back to Anton's apartment
He was restless and annoyed at himself.
"Why was I ever a bully? he thought bitterly. If it weren't for me, he wouldn't be what… he is now."
Before he could finish that thought, a sudden idea flickered.
"I should surprise him and buy him the camera and visit him."
But then he remembered Jabbari refusing to share their address, a strict safety precaution.
Anton sighed. "Fine… I'll just message them instead. Maybe we can meet somewhere."
He clenched his fists, determination burning through the guilt.
If he wanted a clean slate, he had to start properly.
He decided he would apologize to every student he had bullied.
Just as that resolve settled in, his phone rang.
Caller name: Dani
Anton froze. A cold fear tightened in his chest.
He stared at the screen for a few seconds, then quickly ignored the call.
Without another thought, he grabbed his jacket, stepped out of the apartment, and headed toward the mall.
As the door closed behind him, a shadow shifted in the hallway, Joshua, quietly watching.
He waited patiently… until Anton was gone.
As Anton arrived at the mall, he wandered through the rows of stores, his eyes scanning the shelves until he stopped at the camera section.
"Excuse me," he said, approaching the saleslady. "Which camera would you recommend for vlogging?"
She smiled politely, but then Anton noticed something odd.
Vines were coiled around her neck, like living ornaments.
A chill ran down his spine.
"Are you… a Battle Mage as well?" he asked carefully.
The woman blinked in confusion. "No," she said softly.
Anton exhaled, relieved. Maybe it's just some weird fashion accessory, he thought.
But then she added, "My father is, though."
Anton froze. Her father? His thoughts began to race. Wait… could it be? Sean's daughter is being held hostage…
He looked at her, voice low. "Is your father… Sean?"
The saleslady gasped. "How did you know? Are you a friend of his?"
Before Anton could answer, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"What are you doing here, Anton?!"
Anton turned and standing at the entrance was Sean, his presence heavy and furious.